Great discussion!!
ValuseekeR
I haven’t yet decided if I prefer a UI with H~~L or L~~>H. For a small actual EDC like the C01S I’m not sure it even matters. I’d think it’s most important if preserving night vision or dealing with very powerful lights. Do you have other small and lightweight AAA flashlights you recommend?
withoutink
Thanks for sharing your firsts! Do you (and others) actually carry a 18650 flashlight on your person all the time? I’m not actually looking for an EDC, but if I do get one it will be something small that fits on a keychain, no bigger than the tiny AAA C01S.
Flying Luminosity
That is terrifying, but it’s really unclear what happened in that explosion. In any case the one in my mouth was a NiMH AA and one aim of this 18650 flashlight research is to be practical enough not to need hands or mouth. Tailstanding, magnetic cap, 90 degree head, and/or headstrap, etc can all help with that.
Jack Kellar
buck91
One thing is amply clear: the S2+ sure is popular!
Kame Sennin
I appreciate the numbers. I agree low current, medium lumens is most practical. What would you consider a safe current limit for laptop pulls? 4.8A was the max discharge current for these cells on the data sheet, and now with their age and increasing IR, the sustained current will be less. I noted some values for current draw from reviews. SP40
1347lm -> 3.11A, 453lm -> 0.99A. BLF A6 1512lm -> 6.17A, 1008lm -> 2.76A, 502lm -> 0.97A. So as long as the cells can provide at least 1-2A it looks like useful light output in the 400-500lm range and a bit beyond should not be a problem.
Bearbreeder
You’re right, as much as modding might be fun, right now I have no intention of it. How do you feel about the CRI of the SP40? These beamshots of the SP40 4000K, 5300K, and Emisar D4v2 4000K CRI95 are interesting. And what would be your biggest complaints with the SP40?
Lightbringer
Yeah those weld spot remainders are annoying but pretty minimal. Teslacom explicitly requires button tops. In any case, it’s not the kind of light I’m looking for at the moment.
manithree
Great recommendation! The YLP Panda 2M CRI is the best contender against the SP40 so far. The smooth beam, compact size, moonlight, CRI, regulated output, and great reviews really give it some advantages. The only disadvantages I’ve found is the cost comes to about double the SP40 and it doesn’t have USB charging. Hmm… I’ll have to think. You made my decision more difficult. Thank you.
jon_slider
I appreciate the suggestions and I also considered that higher powered lights might still be good choices if I use them on low/medium with the laptop pulls, and then still have the option to buy better fresh 18650s to enjoy high/turbos. On the other hand I’d like to be sure they won’t be a safety concern. However the most pragmatic lights for my main use cases aren’t focused on max lumens anyway. As for EDC, I like your criteria, plus I think I’d stick to AAA NiMH. What are your favorites in this category? I am enjoying this multitude of suggestions.
extremesquared
I hope at least it wasn’t fully charged when you soldered! I won’t be trying it either way… Stay safe!
wle
You’re right that there’s no substitute for first-hand experience with a light… which is why I’m making use of everyone’s in this thread.